As he has been for the last 10 years, Vince Wilfork will remain with the New England Patriots. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Wilfork and the Patriots finally restructured his contract with a new one-year, $8 million deal ($3 million guaranteed) that includes options for another two years.

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By Tim Whelan Jr.Daily News staff

MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA

By Tim Whelan Jr.Daily News staff

Posted Mar. 27, 2014 at 6:14 PM
Updated Mar 28, 2014 at 11:45 AM

By Tim Whelan Jr.Daily News staff

Posted Mar. 27, 2014 at 6:14 PM
Updated Mar 28, 2014 at 11:45 AM

» Social News

What once appeared to be the only potential blemish on an impressive start to free agency has now become another feather in the Patriots’ tri-cornered cap.

So much for that release Vince Wilfork had reportedly requested.

As he has been for the last 10 years, Wilfork will be with the New England Patriots for at least the upcoming season.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Wilfork and the Patriots finally restructured his contract with a new one-year, $8 million deal ($3 million guaranteed). Schefter also reported that there will be an option for two additional years for up to $22.5 million total.

Wilfork, who is recovering from an Achilles’ tendon tear that ended his 2013 season in Week 4, had one year remaining on the five-year, $40 million deal he signed in 2010. He was scheduled to make $7.5 million and count $11.6 million against the 2014 salary cap. The negotiations between he and the club had reportedly been contentious, and over the weekend the Boston Herald reported that his nameplate and belongings had been removed from his Gillette Stadium locker.

Late Thursday afternoon, Wilfork (@wilfork75) took to Twitter to hint at the news to come.

"It’s been hard to remain quiet and let things take its course but it has been the best thing to do," Wilfork said in a photo posted to his Twitter page. "Negotiations are never easy especially when you have a 10-year history with a team and more importantly relationships. For those who have supported me I thank you, for those who have called me every name in the book I thank you too. My intentions have never changed 10 years ago my goal was to retire a Patriot and as I sit here typing this I am closer to achieving my goal. I look forward to getting back to football and helping my team compete and have a chance at a Super Bowl."

Defensive end Chandler Jones (@Chan95Jones) tweeted, "And the day just keeps getting better," followed by an Instagram photo of he and his sizeable defensive linemate beaming on the sidelines.

Since being drafted in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft out of Miami (21st overall), Wilfork has been an anchor in the middle of the Patriots’ defense. Last season’s Achilles' tear in Atlanta was the first major, season-ending injury in the career of the five-time Pro Bowler, who was first-team All-Pro in 2012. Prior to the injury at the Georgia Dome, he had missed six games in his entire career.

In that career, Wilfork has compiled 469 tackles, 16 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions.

The 32-year-old is working his way back to join a defense that has undergone some changes in recent days, as Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner have come aboard and the likes of Aqib Talib, Brandon Spikes, Dane Fletcher and Isaac Sopoaga have departed.

Page 2 of 2 - Defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, who restructured his own contract from an expected $2.5 million down to $1.85 million, is also coming off a season-ending injury from a year ago (knee).

With Wilfork and then Kelly out, the Patriots used a rotation that included rookie free agents Joe Vellano and Chris Jones, as well as pickups Sealver Siliga and the recently-released Sopoaga. The Patriots were 4-0 with Wilfork in the starting lineup, and 9-5 afterward, including the postseason.

The biggest impact of Wilfork’s loss was felt when defending other teams’ rushing attacks. Through the four games Wilfork played, the Patriots were 13th in the NFL in stopping the run. By season’s end, without their 6-foot-2 behemoth clogging up the middle, the Patriots were 30th against the run.

Barring any more serious injury issues, it would be reasonable to expect a return to a steady run defense.

And Big Vince will once again be at the center of it all. The big man will be back.

Tim Whelan Jr. can be reached at 508-626-4402 or twhelan@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @thattimwhelan.